Council Minutes
17397
January 2, 2001
PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF GRAND FORKS, NORTH DAKOTA
January 2, 2001
The city council of the city of Grand Forks, North Dakota met in its regular session in the council chambers in City Hall on Tuesday, January 2, 2001 at the hour of 7:30 o’clock p.m. with Mayor Brown presiding. Present at roll call were Council Members Brooks, Bjerke, Stevens, Hamerlik, Burke, Glassheim (on telephone system), Lunak, Christensen, Klave, Bakken, Kreun, Martinson - 12; absent: Council Members Gershman, Babinchak - 2.
Mayor Brown announced that anyone wishing to speak to any item may do so by being recognized prior to a vote being taken on the matter.
PRESENT AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS
Mayor Brown recognized two Urban Development employees who completed their work with the City at the end of 2000: Jerry Barton started working for the City of Grand Forks in December of 1997, working with the local realtors on the sale of the Congressional homes, assisted by Mr. Barton’s hard work these neighborhoods have become an attractive and viable part of our community; Roberta Hesse started working for the City in December of 1997, and provided office support for the rental rehab relocation voucher and various home rehab programs; and offered our thanks to Mr. Barton and Ms. Hesse and wished them well in the future.
Mayor Brown announced that Grand Forks Police Lt. John Babinchak retired from the department on December 1, 2000, that he had served the City of Grand Forks since August 26, 1968, that he most recently served as the bureau commander for the department’s community service bureau was promoted to sergeant on May 19, 1976 and to lieutenant on May 1, 1991.
Mayor Brown announced that Capt. Ronald MacCarthey is scheduled to retire from the department on January 2, 2001, that he began his career with the Grand Forks Police Department on July 7, 1969, was promoted to sergeant on October 16, 1973 and to lieutenant on July 1, 1977 and to captain on May 16, 1991.
Mayor Brown congratulated the Human Resources Department and the City of Grand Forks employees for their commitment to safety, benefits not only for an efficient and safe workplace but monetary savings as well; that the Human Resources Department was approved for a 10% premium discount because of their efforts and innovative programs, and this amounts to $33,000 and the department also received a check for $62,213 because of their commitment to safety, return to work and effective claims management, the monetary total back to the City of Grand Forks is $95,213.00.
FLOOD REPORT
Al Grasser, acting city engineer, reviewed update for the month of January; that under the technical work updates through the Corps of Engineers, they have hired Stanley Consultants and continue to work on the first reach of the levees, the expected bid date of Phase I of the levees would be the spring of 2001; demolition of the Northern Pacific RR bridge is essentially complete and the contractor will come back in the spring and finish the cleanup work. He reported that HDR Engineering which is a consultant to the Corps continues to work on the English Coulee Diversion Project, that award is tentatively scheduled for March 2001 and is contingent upon land and right of way acquisition. He stated that the Corps on December 21 received quotes for the pumps for the stormwater pumping stations, they will be in one lump sum so have uniformity throughout the various stations and currently evaluating those quotes for lowest responsible bidder; that the Corps has also awarded the contract to Gowan Construction for the demolition of various structures and have also continued their contract with Ayres Associates for design and preparation of plans and specs. for the English Coulee pumping station and that we are planning to have that construction underway this coming summer. He stated that in-house staff work that we’re doing with the Corps the construction is underway on Lift Stations No. 1 and No. 5, that No. 1 is the sanitary lift station in the Lincoln Park area and No. 5 is the lift station near St. Anne’s and are being relocated due to the flood dike alignments. Works is underway on relocating two sanitary sewer and water transmission lines along the route of the English Coulee Diversion channel and are also finalizing plans and specs. for the termination of sewer, water and paving along the new dike alignments coincident with Phase I of the levee construction. Removal of streets and utilities has begun in the Riverside and Lincoln areas, most of the streets have been basically removed and work has been suspended now until spring. He stated that under federal appropriation processes on December 15, 2000 Congress passed the Dakota Water Resources Act and that is extremely important for the State of North Dakota and goes back to some of the promises that were made with the Garrison Dam project, and is a $631 million project, haven’t awarded the money yet but the basic act is in place and that will impact water supply issues for the entire State of North Dakota.
Mr. Grasser stated on the State Appropriations Process, the ND Legislature will have to extend the appropriations for the State’s contribution to the Corps flood protection project, first bill had a sunset clause of June, 2000 and will need to be extended through the next biennium and is in the Water Commission Appropriation’s budget.
Mr. Grasser stated on the local funding issue there will be a Special Assessment meeting on January 9, 2001 at 1:30 p.m. in City Hall where they will discuss the benefits formula to be used in the flood protection project. He stated that they are doing acquisitions in all of the phases of the project and is one of the most time critical part of keeping the project on track. He stated that Xcel Energy is continuing to work at taking the contaminated material out by DeMers Avenue and that work will continue this winter until it is complete. He stated they have completed taking top soil back to the South Middle School site. He stated that the Greenway Alliance will be meeting on January 4 at 10:00 o’clock in the Park District Office and on January 9 at 7:00 p.m. there will be a meeting at Schroeder Middle School to have a public input meeting with the Olson and Elmwood residents re. the modifications in their area on the dike alignments.
Mr. Grasser reported that the City of Grand Forks has been notified that we were the recipients of a Transportation Enhancement funding for the downtown bridge in the amount of $250,000 for fiscal year 2002 and gives us part of a funding source to do the pedestrian bridge downtown and we are still applying for the TCSP dollars but won’t know on those for another year, but this puts the first link in place for funding should they want to do the bridge downtown. He also mentioned that the leadership group met (political leaders of the City of Grand Forks, East Grand Forks and the Corps of Engineers) and one of the recommendations was that the City have a designated point person with expanded responsibilities to work directly on the Corps project, part of that position would be that they would have direct access or work directly with the mayor and council leadership on issues relevant to the Corps project and public input that we get, and recommendation from that group and that appointment will go to Charles Grotte who has been working on this project for the last couple years, and that Mr. Grotte will do the flood reports in the future.
Council Member Burke questioned what items are on the Special Assessment Commission’s agenda for January 9 and when decision will be made on how to assess the dike project. The city auditor reported that the intention of that meeting, since they have held some public hearings in regard to this, is that they are going to discuss in detail the formula and benefits formula they would use; that this a working session to look at several alternatives.
PRESENTATION OF BREMER FOUNDATION
Mayor Brown stated that in June of 2000 portions of Grand Forks County received torrential rainfall which caused substantial overland flooding and many neighboring communities were affected, a task force to address the recovery efforts was formed by the Grand Forks County Commission and as mayor, he assigned several Grand Forks City employees to the task. He stated a major focus of the task force was the rehabilitation of many rural residences that received damage, and to address that in early September the city council approved transferring $175,000 of the City’s Home dollars to this flood relief effort and in addition, spearheaded by staff from the Office of Urban Development and Grand Forks Housing Authority, numerous grants were written to solicit funds for housing rehabilitation, and announced that Duaine Espegard, CEO of Grand Forks Bremer Bank, was here this evening to award $100,000 in Otto Bremer Foundation funds to the City for the flood housing rehab program, that the staff of the Urban Development Office will administer the flood rehab program through the Red River Valley Community Action. He stated that during and after the flood of 1997 many of the affected communities came to the aid of our citizens and that it is right and appropriate that we return that support, and thanked the staff of the Urban Development Office and the Grand Forks Housing Authority for their efforts in securing these relief dollars and extended our grateful appreciation to the Otto Bremer Foundation for their support.
Mr. Espegard stated it was a delight to witness good working relations as a regional city and Grand Forks helping the rural communities when they are in need as well, and on behalf of the Bremer Company he stated it was a pleasure to present the money but the intent and spirit of the people of Grand Forks and city council and people who work here that helped our communities out, deserve recognition for that as well as the Urban Development group for the idea and spearheading it, and thanked the council.
CITIZEN REQUESTS
The city auditor stated that any person wishing to bring an item not otherwise on the agenda to the attention of the mayor and city council may address the council at this time; and that no action will be taken on these items which would be referred to staff for follow up and report. There were no comments or requests.
AWARD CONTRACTS TO LOW BIDDERS FOR ALERUS
CENTER EQUIPMENT AND FURNISHINGS
The Events Center Core Committee reported having considered the matter of approval of bids and award of contracts for Alerus Center equipment, and recommended that we approve the bids and award the contracts as follows: to Norby’s for the high-backed chairs for the suites at their bid price of $14,232; to Gaffaney’s for the pre-function area furniture at their bid price of $18,672.40; to Exclusively Expo for the convention equipment at their bid price of $94,832.86; to Sanitation Products for the trash compactor and accessories for their bid price of $36,945; to Forklifts of ND for the electric carts and trailers at their bid price of $14,480; and to Gaffaney’s for the cash registers at their bid price of $47,438.
It was moved by Council Member Klave and seconded by Council Member Christensen that this recommendation be and is hereby approved. Upon roll call the following voted “aye”: Council Members Brooks, Bjerke, Stevens, Hamerlik, Burke, Glassheim, Lunak, Christensen, Klave, Bakken, Kreun, Martinson - 12; voting “nay”: none. Mayor Brown declared the motion carried.
APPROVE REQUEST BY FIRE ISLAND GRILL AND BAR
TO UPGRADE LIQUOR LICENSE TO A CLASS 1 LICENSE
Committee No. 2, Public Safety, reported having considered the request from Fire Island Grill and Bar to upgrade liquor license from a Class 4 (Food and Beverage Establishment) to a Class 1 (General On and Off Sale Liquor and Beer) license, and recommended to approve the upgrade of the Fire Island Grill and Bar liquor license subject to sign off by appropriate departments.
It was moved by Council Member Bakken and seconded by Council Member Martinson that this recommendation be and is hereby approved. Carried 10 votes affirmative; Council Members Bjerke and Stevens voting against the motion.
INTRODUCE ORDINANCE RELATING TO CLASS 7
GOLF COURSE ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE LICENSE
Committee No. 2, Public Safety, reported having considered the first reading of ordinance regarding alcoholic beverage license for the Kings Walk Golf Course, and recommended approval.
It was moved by Council Member Bakken and seconded by Council Member Martinson that this recommendation be and is hereby approved. Carried 10 votes affirmative; Council Members Bjerke and Stevens voting against the motion.
Council Member Hamerlik introduced an ordinance entitled “An ordinance amending Section 21-0205 of the Grand Forks City Code heretofore effective relating to Class 7 Golf Course Alcoholic Beverage license”, which was presented, read and passed on its first reading.
INTRODUCE ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A SPECIAL
ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE LICENSE FOR THE ENGELSTAD
ARENA
Committee No. 2, Public Safety, reported having considered the first reading of an ordinance regarding alcoholic beverage license for the Engelstad Arena, and recommended introduction of the ordinance.
It was moved by Council Member Bakken and seconded by Council Member Martinson that this recommendation be and is hereby approved.
Council Member Glassheim recommended not granting alcoholic licenses to either Alerus or Engelstad, that it seems to him that society is more and more discouraging alcohol use, that the University has a strict policy against alcohol use, the federal government is mandating us to go down to .008 in regard to alcohol and driving, that it’s pretty well agreed that alcohol is a dangerous drug, both in itself and the harm it does to people’s bodies as well as in its impact on other people when used in relation to public events and driving, that they’ve just sponsored a wonderful First Night with thousands of people who appreciate events that don’t have alcohol, and that it is not sensible for us to have alcohol permits where children, young people and University students will be significant portion of the users of a facility.
Howard Swanson, city attorney, stated that the draft ordinance on the Engelstad Arena and changes are recommendation for fee of $550.00 and under subsection (5) dealing with sale or dispensing of alcohol by person other than a person employed by the licensee has been deleted - changed so they can utilize volunteer staff and agents, do not have to be employees alone, and employee restriction has been changed. He stated both entities requested the opportunity to utilize volunteer staff for the sale or service of alcoholic beverages and would still have to meet the other local and State requirements as to age, etc.
Mr. Swanson stated that with respect to the Alerus Center those issues fall within the authority that was granted to the Events Center Commission and they have the ability and the authority to be more restrictive than what this is, this is a licensing ordinance, and if you chose to include or establish more restrictive parameters, you could do it here but that would be a discretionary act of the council.
Council Member Brooks stated that Council Member Glassheim’s concerns are ones of enforcement which are going to be up to Engelstad and the Alerus in conjunction with the University, that licenses will have to come up for review and would hope they would take a close look at the enforcement.
There was some discussion relative to not selling alcoholic beverages in glass bottles or metal cans, and questioned whether that was needed. Mr. Swanson stated that both were safety concerns - throwing of bottles, breaking of glass or throwing of metal containers or edges of metal containers, that the request from the Alerus Center and Engelstad specifically addressed concerns or the allowance of sale in plastic containers which is why that is not excluded.
Upon call for the question and upon roll call vote, the following voted “aye”: Council Members Brooks, Hamerlik, Burke, Lunak, Christensen, Klave, Bakken, Kreun, Martinson - 9; voting “nay”: Council Members Bjerke, Stevens and Glassheim - 3. Mayor Brown declared the motion carried.
Council Member Hamerlik introduced an ordinance entitled “An ordinance amending Sections 21-0106 and 21-0205 of the Grand Forks City Code establishing a special alcoholic beverage license for the Engelstad Arena”, which was presented, read and passed on its first reading.
INTRODUCE ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A SPECIAL
ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE LICENSE FOR THE ALERUS
CENTER
Committee No. 2, Public Safety, reported having considered the first reading of ordinance regarding alcoholic beverage license for the Alerus Center, and recommended introduction of the ordinance for first reading.
It was moved by Council Member Bakken and seconded by Council Member Martinson that this recommendation be and is hereby approved.
Council Member Glassheim stated he had the same concerns relative to this ordinance as the previous ordinance, and not need to expand the use in public facilities of drinking as part of having fun.
Mr. Swanson stated that the same corrections were included in the ordinance, to show license fee as $550.00 and that no alcoholic beverages may be sold or dispensed by any person other than a person legally employed by the licensee or an authorized agent of the licensee.
Council Member Bjerke stated he didn’t believe tailgating has been enforced the way it should have been at its current location and would hope that if in the future they were going to allow tailgating, and if enforcement is an issue would hope that they do enforcement.
Upon call for the question and upon roll call vote, the following voted “aye”: Council Members Hamerlik, Burke, Lunak, Christensen, Klave, Bakken, Kreun, Martinson, Brooks - 9; voting “nay”: Council Members Bjerke, Stevens, Glassheim - 3. Mayor Brown declared the motion carried.
Council Member Hamerlik introduced an ordinance entitled “An ordinance amending Sections 21-0106 and 21-0205 of the Grand Forks City Code establishing a special alcoholic beverage license for the Alerus Center”, which was presented, read and passed on its first reading.
CONSIDER MARKET STUDY PROPOSED FULL-SERVICE
CONVENTION HOTEL AT ALERUS SITE
The Events Center Core Committee considered the market study - proposed full-service convention hotel at Alerus site, and recommended approval of proposal by HVS International to perform the market study as in their proposal up to $45,000 plus expenses. (Phase One: fieldwork; Phase Two: analysis; Phase Three: written report; Phase Four: feasibility analysis and developer incentive recommendations; and Phase Five: convention center consulting services)
It was moved by Council Member Hamerlik and seconded by Council Member Klave that this recommendation be and is hereby approved.
Darrel Larson, chairman of the Events Center Commission, stated that the Commission heard the report from HVS, and were committed to proceeding with this study and vote was unanimous.
Council Member Hamerlik reported that the Core Committee had the same issue and they unanimously adopted the resolution to recommend that this firm be engaged.
Council Member Lunak asked what this study is going to bring us. Mr. Larson stated it will provide knowledge for us in an area of the hotel development, it is a company that is recognized internationally among hotel property owners, their reports are well respected and it will give us an opportunity as we develop a plan to have a hotel built in that area, to have a better grasp on what type of incentives may be necessary or considered by the City in that regard, what affect it will have on the Alerus as well as the effect that the Alerus Center will have on the hotel - it will give us a broad parameter of information to use in developing the hotel property which hasn’t been done to this point. Council Member Lunak questioned whether we would need that information right away. Mr. Larson stated that the Commission believes it should be done immediately, and were hopeful there would be a hotel under construction at this point, and this is another step to move forward with that and believe that the construction of it is crucial to the event center but more so to the convention facility. He stated they are often times asked when the hotel will be built because for many conventions that’s a crucial element to them coming here.
Council Member Burke stated that Phase Five is separated from the first four phases and asked what the likelihood that they would proceed with the Fifth Phase. Mr. Larson stated that the HVS representative, Carter Wilson, explained what that phase will entail in showing how the hotel will benefit from being next to the Alerus Center and how the Alerus Center will benefit having the hotel next to it which will be beneficial to the extent they consider in any potential incentives. In answer to Council Member Burke’s question if they would commission Phase Five separately from the first four, he stated he would recommend authorizing all of them - there’s about a two-week lag period and need two weeks notice to do Phase Five and take them 30 to 45 days to get the first four phases together and would like to see us in a position of at that point in time being able to proceed with it if determined to be essential. It was noted they would make that determination based on the preliminary information from the first four phases of the study. Mr. Larson stated if there is apprehension in doing that, Phase Five can be held off for probably another three week period before they make that determination, which is a $15,000 component.
Council Member Brooks asked what the decision was on the funding coming from the Alerus construction budget, what was reasoning for that versus operating, etc. Council Member Hamerlik stated that the Commission specifically did not say anything but asked staff to make a recommendation or some options. The city auditor reported that the Commission and the Core Committee requested staff to review different funding sources and they reviewed that and there will be some contingencies that will be freed up in the construction budget itself, there’s a potential of some funding available in 2000 Alerus operating budget, sales tax economic development funds if you wish to use them or excess sales tax. He stated in looking at the project itself he suggested using the construction budget simply because those are funds dedicated for the Alerus project, rather than operating funds with the understanding that we would like to carry over as much in the operating budget as could in case there are some shortfalls in next year’s budget. He stated they can’t transfer money from construction to operating because of the requirements of the bond sale, that he discounted the sale tax and the excess sales tax because as a City we have other uses for those.
Council Member Martinson stated when a mall looks at a community, they normally do their own market study, feasibility studies, etc. and if there is a large hotel chain that is interested in looking at us, wouldn’t they spend their money to do a market study. Mr. Larson stated that could be possible but the history of the project is showing that it’s very unlikely, that we need to go out and find hotel developers to come in and do this property, something could be tied in to the extent there were incentives where the City arguably could get this cost back in some manner, but would prefer not to see us go along that line because there will be other discussions on incentives and we can take this cost into account at that time.
Council Member Christensen stated that the first three phases of the study are a feasibility study, that he’s in favor of the first $30,000, that once they get that study they will see what the feasibility is and if it’s financially feasible because a lender will be a bank or an insurance company or the community will become a lender; and that’s going to be a big issue for this council and for the community in light of the money that’s already been spent out there. He stated he was in favor of the first $30 000 if it comes out of the construction budget because that hotel if it’s built will be part of the facility and money we’re spending should be incorporated as part of the construction budget; the money that we’re operating on right now is about a $300,000 or $500,000 carry-over out of the construction budget, but don’t want to see us taking a lot of money out of their operations right now to pay for this, and once we get the study back and review it, and if the Commission feels we should go forward with the next $15,000, then reserve the balance in the construction budget, and go forward. He stated if we take it out of their operations, we’ll be shuffling dollars because we will short them by $45,000 and have to hit the economic development fund we set aside.
After further discussion Council Member Christensen moved an amendment to the motion to approve up to $30,000 out of the Alerus construction budget; seconded by Council Member Martinson
After discussion and upon call for the question on the amendment and upon roll call vote, the following voted “aye”: Council Member Stevens, Lunak, Christensen, Martinson, Brooks, Bjerke, Glassheim - 7; voting “nay”: Council Members Hamerlik, Burke, Klave, Bakken, Kreun - 5. Mayor Brown declared the motion carried.
Upon call for the question on the motion as amended, and upon roll call vote the following voted “aye”: Council Members Brooks, Stevens, Hamerlik, Burke, Glassheim, Lunak, Christensen, Klave, Bakken, Kreun, Martinson - 11; voting “nay”; Council Member Bjerke - 1. Mayor Brown declared the motion carried.
DEFEAT MOTION REQUESTING CIVIL SERVICE TO
ESTABLISH A REGISTER FOR DRIVERS FOR SENIOR
CITIZEN BUS SERVICE
Committee No. 1, Finance, reported having considered the matter of resolution requesting the Civil Service Commission establish a register for drivers for Senior Citizen bus service, and recommended that Senior Citizen bus drivers be temporary employees.
It was moved by Council Member Bjerke and seconded by Council Member Brooks that this recommendation be and is hereby approved.
Council Member Brooks stated that everyone knows what the issues are and if there is debate to limit debate to ten (10) minutes. Council Member Hamerlik seconded the motion. Carried 12 votes affirmative.
Upon call for the question and upon voice vote, the motion carried 12 votes affirmative.
SUSPEND AGENDA AND MOVE TO ITEM RELATIVE TO
CIVIC AUDITORIUM
Council Member Brooks moved to suspend the agenda and move to the item relative to the civic auditorium (not to adjourn to committee of the whole to discuss the matter of the civic auditorium); Council Member Bjerke seconded the motion. Carried 12 votes affirmative.
DIRECT CLOSING OF CIVIC AUDITORIUM AND REQUEST
PROPOSALS FOR PRIVATE OR NON-PRIVATE SALE AND/OR
RE-DEVELOPMENT OF CIVIC AUDITORIUM AND TO RETAIN
EMPLOYEES THROUGH JUNE 30, 2001
Rick Duquette, Assistant to the Mayor, stated that on September 18, 2000 the Events Center Core Committee directed him, Mr. Warne and the city auditor to assemble information as a follow up report to the Compass Facility recommendation which indicated to close the civic auditorium and to explore either private sector or redevelopment of the facility or reuse adaptation for the City of Grand Forks. He stated they assembled that report and presented that to the Events Center Core Committee in November and reviewed that information for the council to outline the following parts: financial history from 1995 to present, look at event history of the facility, cost of continuing the operation of the civic auditorium past June, 2001, and projections of costs and revenues if enact recommendations from Compass Facility Management. He asked to divide the discussion into two parts, first part with the facility itself and the second part having to do with the civic auditorium employees.
Mr. Duquette reported that from 1995 to 2000 they had an operating loss of $253,036; and in analysis looked at cost to continue funding the civic auditorium past June of 2001, that mayor and council have adopted a budget for the year 2001 for the civic auditorium of $186,000 from January to the end of June, 2001, and if decision was made to continue operations past June of 2001our projections are that the cost would be a little over $200,000 for 6 months.
Mr. Duquette reported that Compass Facility Management made two recommendations: that the City consider looking at re-use, adaptation of the civic for other City functions, and recommended looking at private sector or non-profit development of this facility. He stated that minimum cost for reuse for City function and minimum recurring costs annually are utilities of $50,500 and that is drastically changing with increase in utility costs during the last month; building and equipment maintenance approx. $12,000/year and if intend to reuse in a city function would have to replace roof at est. cost of $200,000 and main floor heating/ventilation/air-conditioning system est. cost of $40,000. He stated that the second recommendation from Compass Facility, private sector re-development, probable market value of that facility is from $410,000 to $1.1 million, based upon a developer coming in and cost to make those changes. The probable re-development value has potential of value of $3 million.
Mr. Duquette recommended that we seek proposals from both private and non-profit sector concerning that facility, and discontinue civic auditorium operations in that facility on June 30, 2001, and look at proposals to see what works best for the City and the community.
Mr. Duquette reported that he and the mayor had visited and feel it makes good sense to continue this facility to the end of June, 2001, and have transferred several of the scheduled banquet type items to the Alerus and have several other obligations that we need to fulfill (weddings, craft shows), that we have made those obligations. He stated this would give them some time to work out options for the employees, that he has worked with the Public Works director and Human Resources director and anticipate 3 to 5 openings in public works in the next 3 to 18 months, first three in the water treatment plant in the public works department, and encouraged that they keep this facility open to the end of June, 2001 as originally intended and gives options to look for positions for these employees. He stated their recommendation is to seek proposals and function to the end of June, 2001 and look at options for these employees.
After some discussion it was moved by Council Member Brooks and seconded by Council Member Stevens that we have two issues, one is the building and one is staff, that we discuss the issue of the building first. Mr. Swanson stated that the normal process would be, have either a recommendation or a motion on the substance as opposed to attempting to divide the question before you have any substantive motion before you.
It was moved by Council Member Burke that we consider the issue of the building and direct staff to seek proposals either to find private sector purchaser of the building or public sector uses for the building, with closing of the building with the last date that we have a contracted obligated event in the building - July 1, 2001 at 1:00 a.m. Council Member Brooks seconded the motion
Council Member Christensen stated that the motion to close the building at 1:00 a.m. on July 1 or to sell it, have several issues here, and should either vote it up or down or withdraw the motion and deal with the primary issue which is operation of the facility to honor the existing contracts and need staff to do that, that Mr. Duquette and the Mayor are recommending that we continue, and should probably do that, not breach anybody’s contracts and staff has 6 months to look for a job, and as jobs come up in the city, they can apply for them and should do that first. He stated that the next issue is to discuss before we decide as to what would be an effective disposition or utilization of the facility; that there’s a lot of vacant property downtown and not sure it’s in the City’s best interest to sell this for $100,000, that we put $2.3 million in this facility after the flood, and we have a continued request for incubator space for fledgling businesses in this community, we have the Economic Development Corp. that is looking for space for different businesses to come to this community, that this is inventory that doesn’t cost us very much to maintain for the balance of the year; and feel premature in trying to sell it for $100,000.and asked Council Member Burke if he would withdraw his motion and let us deal with the issue of the employees and the contracts, and then the other. Council Member Burke stated he was not going to withdraw the motion, that if we keep the building it will cost us money, and just because we ask for proposals for either public or private use of the building, doesn’t mean that we will sell the building or give it away, but asking for proposals, and if find that one of those proposals is worthwhile and would benefit the community, then can go ahead with selling the building or giving it away for that use; but only asking for proposals for sale or alternate use of the building.
After further discussion Council Member Martinson called for the question, seconded by Council Member Bjerke. Carried 11 votes affirmative; Glassheim voted against the motion.
Upon roll call the following voted “aye”: Council Members Hamerlik, Burke, Glassheim, Lunak, Christensen, Klave, Bakken, Kreun, Martinson, Brooks, Bjerke, Stevens - 12; voting “nay”: none. Mayor Brown declared the motion carried.
Council Member Burke questioned if a half dozen events a reason to keep the auditorium staffed for four months. Mr. Duquette stated that there are 17 contracts and events that are repeat events during that period of time, and that there are events scheduled for every day through June 30.
Council Member Klave moved that we retain the employees through the end of June and at that time the positions be terminated, in the interim period of time that they continually actively seeking employment with the City if that is their wish and on termination on July 1 that their names be placed in the register for future positions that open for the City. Council Member Kreun seconded the motion.
Council Member Brooks moved that these individuals be given priority on positions that open in the City and are qualified for, and that they be given approved time off for job interviews during that period of time; seconded by Council Member Klave. Carried 12 affirmative.
Upon call for the question on the motion, as amended, carried 12 votes affirmative.
MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS
1) Council Member Bjerke commended the street department after the storm last week, that they are doing an excellent job on snow removal.
2) Council Member Kreun noted that staff came in on Saturday night to go through the downtown area for First Night, and that we appreciate those particular people who did work that night.
3) Mayor Brown added his thanks to the City employees for the care of the city this last week.
APPROVE MINUTES DECEMBER 18, 2000
Typewritten copies of the minutes of the adjourned meeting of the city council held on Monday, December 18, 2000 were presented and read. It was moved by Council Member Bjerke and seconded by Council Member Martinson that the minutes be approved as read. Carried 12 votes affirmative.
APPROVE BILLS AND ESTIMATES FOR VARIOUS
PROJECTS
Vendor Payment Listing No. 01-01, dated January 2, 2001, totaling $810,003.21, and various estimates for payment of construction totaling $5,228,822.93 (Regular Estimate Summary, $4,225,069.10; Flood Estimate Summary, $387,133.59; and CDBG Estimate Summary, $616.620.24), were presented and read.
It was moved by Council Member Martinson and seconded by Council Member Bakken that these bills and estimates be allowed and that the city auditor be authorized to issue warrants in payment of the same. Upon roll call the following voted “aye”: Council Members Brooks, Bjerke, Hamerlik, Glassheim, Burke, Lunak, Christensen, Klave, Bakken, Kreun, Martinson - 12; voting “nay”: none. Mayor Brown declared the motion carried and the bills and estimates ordered paid.
ADJOURN
It was moved by Council Member Lunak and seconded by Council Member Hamerlik that we do now adjourn. Carried 12 votes affirmative.
Respectfully submitted,
John M. Schmisek, City Auditor
Approved:
___________________________________
Michael R. Brown, Mayor